Mark Eckert, the second-longest-serving mayor in the history of Belleville, Illinois, died Wednesday after a seven-month battle with cancer. He turned 67 in January.
Eckert was elected mayor in 2005 after serving as an alderman for seven years. He served four terms as mayor and on numerous community, education and business boards. Had Eckert won re-election in April 2021, he would have passed up Belleville’s longest-serving mayor, Charles Nichols, who served for 17 years and six months, until 1978, according to the Belleville News-Democrat, citing city records.
Eckert, who graduated from Belleville Township High School West and the Southwest Illinois Police Academy, served as a St. Clair County deputy sheriff and as an ambulance driver and emergency medical technician before becoming mayor, the News-Democrat reported.
A biography from the city said Eckert was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Belleville. He and his wife, Rita, have run Eckert Florist in Belleville for 23 years. Mark Eckert also previously owned and operated Maine Chimney Sweep in Belleville.
“His passion for our city, its residents, and the many organizations he played a key role in was unwavering,” Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory said in a statement. “I would also like to express my deepest condolences to his wife Rita, his children, and his grandchildren. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers”
Gregory also talked about Eckert’s deep passion for the city and its growth.
“I remember one night getting a call that he was in the alleys picking up any trash before the art show because he didn’t want anybody to get the wrong impression of Belleville,” she said.
The former alderman’s passion for Belleville shined through his support for area nonprofits, such as Catholic Urban Programs and the Franklin Neighborhood Association. He has been involved as a Boy Scout leader for many years.
“That’s what he wanted to see was just that strong connectivity of the entire community. Not only the city being strong, but our business community working stronger too and marrying those together to make it strong in what it is today so we can last another hundred years,” said Wendy Pfeil, president and CEO of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce.
The former mayor backed street innovation during his tenure so that businesses like Bennie’s Pizza Pub on Main Street could thrive.
“Having this beautiful streetscape where you can have restaurants with outside dining and all that even now in moving forward that’s going to benefit us for a long time,” owner Bennie Parr said.
Eckert made sure everyone he led felt like family.
“He may have not always agreed with every person in this community but he felt it was always the best for this community. On a personal level, Bicentennial Park. Developing that park,” said Jason Polle, director of public works.
Eckert is survived by his wife, Rita; four children, Lt. Col. Matthew (Carly) Eckert; Kate (Jacob) Kotler; Luke (Erika) Eckert; and Lucy Eckert; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St. in Belleville, on Sunday, June 18, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday, June 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The funeral at St. Paul United Church of Christ will be held on Monday, June 19, at noon. Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Belleville, according to Renner Funeral Homes.
Go here for KSDK’s full report.
The St. Louis Business Journal contributed information to this report.
